The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 27, 1997
Filed:
Apr. 19, 1996
Richard Wissenbach, Brockport, NY (US);
Anthony Tavano, Niagara Falls, NY (US);
American Sigma, Inc., Medina, NY (US);
Abstract
A multi-function fluid flow monitoring apparatus capable of measuring fluid flow-related variables of fluid in a channel on the basis of signals from any one or more of a plurality of different types of flow sensors. Such different types of flow sensors may include, for example, a bubbler-type pressure sensor, a submerged pressure transducer, an ultrasonic transducer, and/or a velocity sensor forming part of an area-velocity sensor system, each of which sensors may be selectively connected to the apparatus as needed to accommodate various monitoring conditions. The apparatus is further capable of monitoring various conditions of fluid in the channel, such as pH level, ORP, temperature, solution conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and the like. In addition, the apparatus may be selectively linked with one of a variety of operational devices, such as an automatic sampling apparatus, a rain gauge, or a pump, so as to selectively initiate desired actions by such external device(s) or to otherwise operably cooperate with such external device(s). The integral operating unit includes a computer control system including a microprocessor, program memory, and data memory. External connectors are provided for selective connection to one or more different flow sensors, fluid condition sensors, and/or external devices. The apparatus further includes a display screen, controlled by the computer control system, which selectively displays data in either text or graphics formats. Data including flow-related data, fluid condition data, as well as data from external devices, may be transferred from the data memory of the apparatus to an external computer, printer, or the like by use of a hand-held data transfer unit or a modem integrally provided in the apparatus. The apparatus includes a liquid velocity measurement unit based upon Doppler technology, comprising a spectrum analyzer for calculating average fluid velocity, a mechanism for calculating maximum fluid velocity, and a means for verifying the calculated average fluid velocity based upon the calculated maximum fluid velocity value.